Hello and welcome!
We are revamping this page and will be updating it on a regular basis with fun tidbits - everything from brief profiles of people and businesses with a story to tell, news of interest to our readers, and general discussion covering a variety of topics. This page will most definitely take on a life of its own, so check back frequently to see what's going on.
As always, if you have something to share, feel free to do so by completing the form below.
Hello there! It's your friendly Café friends and another Tuesday is here.
We have a great article to share with you today; courtesy of Dan Thompson from Mama's corner and we hope you enjoy it.
Make it a great day.
25 Useful and Time Saving Computer Tips
Here is the original article where all the tips came from on Monday through Wednesday.
I am providing this in case someone wants the article as a complete package.
The link to the page were the article is located is found at the end of todays tip/article.
This is from Gizmo.com.
Windows and Mac users can take some time and tedium out of computing using these tips.
It's the little things that make using a computer easier and faster. Things that make using the internet easier, such as typing only the name of the site you want to go in your browser, no www.. If the address uses .com, hitting Ctrl + Enter on your keyboard will automatically add the .com and take you to the site. If a web address ends in .net, hit Shift + Enter, the .net will automatically be added and off you'll go to the site.
Not only that, but most browsers will take you to a .com address if all you do is type in the name.
Try typing "microsoft" (minus quotes), or a site you prefer to visit into your browser address bar, hit enter on your keyboard and see what happens. Want to go to a site that has a .org address? No problem, just type the site name, .org, (example: freerice.org)
hit enter on your keyboard, and your browser takes you there.
Those are a few tips off the top of my head, the article at digitizd.com has more.
Even better, the tips are organized into Windows/Mac, Windows only, and Mac only.
25 Useful and Time Saving Computer Tips
http://www.digitizd.com/2009/09/25/25-time-saving-tips-for-your-computer/
dthompson5@mchsi.com
_________________________
Hi everyone! I'm Heather DeMarco, your friendly Café friend and it's the start of a brand new week. The month of May is really zooming along but hopefully everyone is enjoying.
Today, I have a really great article to share with you; all about when or how do disabled jobseekers share their disability. It is indeed a very tough question but hopefully this article will help to shed some light.
We thank the good folks at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca for passing this along to us.
Make it a great day.
Disabled job seekers must consider presentation
Hopefuls have to decide when to explain disability, ask for accommodation
By Susan Kreimer
The Washington Post , December 6, 2009
Pat Leahy's résumé is sprinkled with relevant skills and achievements.
Although he doesn't note his blindness since birth, he often wonders when to
disclose it to potential employers. Should he tell them before the in-person
interview or simply walk in with his guide dog?
"I'm still finessing it and trying to figure out what works best," said
Leahy, 35, who lives on Capitol Hill with his yellow Labrador retriever,
Galahad. After 11 years in public policy, Leahy seeks a management position
in the nonprofit sector or government operations.
Experts suggest it's best to wait to bring up the topic until it becomes
relevant to the discussion -- and to be forthright about the assets such
applicants can bring to that employer.
"Keep an application positive. The best thing you can do is to get selected
on the merits of your qualifications," said Joshua N. Rose, an employment
lawyer in the District. "Once the employer determines you're qualified, it
would be unlawful for them to reject you because of your disability, unless
you're unable to do the job." A radiologist, for example, can't read X-rays
if a visual impairment obscures shades of gray, but perhaps the doctor could
manage a medical practice.
Many job seekers with disabilities can perform the required tasks. They
should sell themselves by anticipating interviewers' concerns and addressing
them. Employers may fear inquiring about a disability's impact on work, so
questions often remain unanswered, said Jeanne Patterson of Tallahassee,
Fla., a professor emeritus and administrator of the National Rehabilitation
Counseling Association.
There may be no need to mention a disability unless an employment gap calls
for an explanation. Another reason to reveal a disability arises when an
applicant has to request an accommodation for the interview. For instance,
Patterson said, a candidate who is deaf or hearing-impaired may ask the
company or vocational agency to arrange for an interpreter.
An employer has to provide reasonable accommodation unless it would impose
undue hardship, usually a significant expense or difficulty, said Lisa
Banks, a disability lawyer in the District. At a small business without an
elevator, for example, a candidate in a wheelchair could request a meeting
on the ground floor.
"It would not be reasonable for them to ask the company to put in an
elevator or build a ramp for them to interview," Banks said. Once the
candidate is hired, he or she could do the job on an easily accessible floor
even if it means sitting near employees from another department.
Job seekers may want to research employers before applying. Some large
corporations are very open to hiring people with disabilities, said Scott
Truax, a San Antonio-based program manager for the CareerConnect and
FamilyConnect Web sites of the American Foundation for the Blind. The
foundation has created a series of videos showing employers how blind and
visually-impaired individuals use adaptive software at work.
"A disability is not a detriment; it's a benefit," said William J. Freeman,
president and founder of the American Disability Association and a lawyer in
Birmingham, Ala. "People with disabilities provide vast diversity in the
workplace."
Freeman, 45, speaks from experience. He received a diagnosis of cerebral
palsy as a toddler and eventually underwent about 30 surgeries. "The ability
to overcome huge obstacles tends to be something that most employers want in
their workforce, especially during a global economic crisis," he said.
Donna J Jodhan is the president of Sterling Creations.
Now you can view blogs and editorials written by Donna at:
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com (Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all)
http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7 (access and accessibility)
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php (accessibility issues in Canada)
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com (under the editorials section, an international perspective)
http://www.onestopbookcafe.com (under the café talk link)
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm (important answers to consumers concerns)
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca (monthly editorial on issues on diversity)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html (monthly editorial)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html (blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants)
Good May weekend morning to you! It's your Café moms and today we're up and ready to go! Another nice day shaping up and we don't want to miss out on anything. We hope you enjoy our package and wish you a great weekend.
We'll be away next weekend so won't be returning until May 29.
Stay well until then.
Your Café moms
Week of May 15
Healthy eating tips
Breaking news! How to lose 9000 lbs. (or less): Tips on healthy eating
How to lose 9000 lbs. (or less): Tips on healthy eating
Bellingham Herald
You'd be better off eating a couple of sticks of butter." "I make a lot of shakes in the blender, such as vanilla-flavored soy, high-fiber protein powder, ...
Read more at:
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/05/03/1413813/how-to-lose-9000-lbs-or-less-tips.html
Is Merck Engaged?
Huffington Post (blog)
With lots of information on healthy eating (still too much animal food used for real health, in my view), activity, achieving a healthy weight, ...
Read more at:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christina-pirello/is-merck-engaged_b_557045.html
Healthy Eating Tips : Eating Healthy Snacks | Mastering Weight ...
By admin
Try not to go more than four or five hours without eating. Learn more about proper healthy snacking with tips from a certified nutritionist in this free health video.
Fresh Healthy Body -
http://freshhealthybody.com/
Healthy Eating Tips for the Holidays | Weight Loss Shakes Site
By admin
Stuffing ourselves over the holidays has become an American tradition. We tend to consume a higher amount of fat, empty calories, sugar and alcohol during this.
Weight Loss Shakes Site -
http://weightlossshakessite.com/
Health and Fitness: Healthy eating tips for vacation:
By WHD Customer Service
Follow these healthy eating tips to help readjust your intake (from your normal 1800 calories to 1400, for example) and bypass the thousands of junk-food-filled rest stops along US highways. Drink up: The recirculated air in a car can ...
Health and Fitness -
http://healthandfitness.wholesalehealthdirect.com/
8 Simple Tips To Avoid Late Night Snacking | Healthy Eating Tips ...
By Darya Pino
Here are a few tips to help you make healthy post-dinner food decisions and break the habit of late night snacking.
Summer Tomato -
http://summertomato.com/
Healthy Eating Tips : Eating Healthy Snacks | Mastering Weight Loss
By admin
Try not to go more than four or five hours without eating. Learn more about proper healthy snacking with tips from a certified nutritionist in this free health video. Expert: Ken Babal Bio: Ken Babal is a certified nutritionist.
Mastering Weight Loss -
http://www.weightlossmastered.com/
6 Ridiculously Easy Tips for a Healthy Eating Weight Loss Plan ...
By admin
Do not believe what you see on TV. Diet and weight loss pills can be extremely expensive and have very little effect on your overall weight.
Dinero y Trabajo -
http://dinerro.com/
Healthy Eating » Blog Archive » An Introduction to Health Net ...
By admin
Healthy Eating » Blog Archive » An Introduction to Health Net. Apart from this, the Health Net often sponsors a variety of professional cycling races such as CSC Invitational. Similarly when it comes to the quality of Care; ...
Health Tips -
http://trksinemalar.com/
Helathy Eating – Instructions for Healthy Cooking | Fast Weight ...
By admin
You can seek the services of a professional nutritionist, your doctor can offer advice, you can find all kinds of books on healthy eating, cooking, and living at your local library, and the Internet is an outstanding source of all kinds ...
Fast Weight Loss & Weight Loss Tips -
http://www.fast-weight.com/
the Dauns™: 10 Tips To Healthy Eating And Physical Activity
By Badrul Amin
A healthy eating style is like a puzzle with many parts. Each part, or food, is different. Some foods may have more fat, sugar or salt, while others may have more vitamins or fibre. There is a place for all these foods. ...
the Dauns™ -
http://thedauns.blogspot.com/
Healthy Eating and Food Safety Tips: Increase in Calories from ...
By Judy Knudsen
Healthy Eating and Food Safety Tips. Brought to you by the Brown County UW-Extension Office. Welcome to my blog on healthy eating and food safety. I look forward to your comments and feedback regarding use of this tool to disseminate ...
Healthy Eating and Food Safety Tips -
http://bcuwexhealthyliving.blogspot.com/
Greetings everyone! I'm Jayna Sheffield, your friendly Café friend and we're into my favorite month of the year. Ah! the merry month of May when spring really does arrive.
Today, I am pleased to introduce one of our favorite gals! Donna J. Jodhan and she is going to share a very special editorial with you; one that she wrote at Easter time last year. (2009)
I hope you find it interesting and touching as I have.
Make it a great day.
Remembering by touch
Now that my vision has been reduced to almost nothing, I often use the touch technique to help me remember certain cherished images. Easter Saturday was a perfect example. When the doorbell rang and I asked who it was, the voice at the other end told me that it was a delivery man with some flowers for me. At first I was at a loss to think who would be so nice to be sending me flowers for Easter but I soon found out.
When I opened the door I asked the delivery man to read me the card on the delivery and it was from my dear mom. He quickly noticed that I was blind and asked if I needed him to put it on my table. When I told him no, he then proceeded to describe the flowers to me and a few minutes later as I quietly closed my door the tears came rolling down my cheeks. My dear mom had sent me an Easter arrangement. It was in a darling little basket, and that I could feel but I could not see the flowers themselves. So, after pulling myself together I proceeded to use my sense of touch to help me remember.
I gently felt each and every flower. Then I examined each leaf with my fingertips. I then bent and smelled the flowers and they had a fresh fragrant spring smell to them. I stood there for a few minutes with my fingers in the basket refusing to let go. I allowed my memory to take over and as I stood there, the colors came flooding back into my mind. I imagined yellow as vibrant as the sun. Purple as gentle as a dawning sky and white as pure as the Milky Way. I pictured the leaves as green as the grass grows and when I had them all pictured in my mind, I wept for joy! My mom had done me well! She knew how much I loved my flowers and she had taken the time to ensure that her basket to me was just right.
It reminded me of a few years ago after I had lost my vision; it was my birthday and I had received another delivery of flowers then. This time the delivery consisted of a huge vase of flowers and when I asked the delivery man to read me the card, he told me that it was from my brother Robert and my sister-in-law Charmaine. Like mom they had taken the time to send me flowers that they knew I so loved and when the delivery man described them to me, I again wept for joy and used my touch technique to help me remember. Later on a friend told me that my brother had specifically asked for flowers that bore fragrant smells so that I could appreciate them even more.
This is one thing that no one can ever take away from me. The ability to remember through touch. I can use the sense of touch to conjure up the most vivid of memories, the most cherished of thoughts, and the most imaginative of creative thinking and it is one of the things that keeps me going every day. I often tell people that it does not matter if I am unable to see something, I can use my sense of touch to help me enjoy it.
I'm Donna J. Jodhan your accessibility and special needs business consultant wishing you a terrific day and encouraging you to go out there and tell the world that yes indeed! Blind persons can certainly enjoy things by using their sense of touch. If you would like to learn more then you can contact me at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
Donna J Jodhan is the president of Sterling Creations.
Now you can view blogs and editorials written by Donna at:
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com (Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all)
http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7 (access and accessibility)
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php (accessibility issues in Canada)
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com (under the editorials section, an international perspective)
http://www.onestopbookcafe.com (under the café talk link)
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm (important answers to consumers concerns)
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca (monthly editorial on issues on diversity)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html (monthly editorial)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html (blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants)
Hello there! It's your friendly Café friends and today we are delighted to be with you.
We'd like to introduce Steve to you. Steve has lots of tips to share with you today so without much further ado, here he is.
Make it a great day.
Steve's daily tips
Taken from Melanie Mama's corner
Whisk Away White Residue From Colored Tapers
Candles covered with a stubborn white film? (TO REMOVE): pour 1 cup buttermilk in a bowl and dip your hands in the liquid. Then run your wet hands briskly over each candle and buff with a clean dry cloth. The friction created by the rub down dislodges dust, while the triglycerides in the buttermilk infuse the wax with moisture and shine.
_________________________
Sweet Potatoes:
Yes, there is a health benefit! A dynamite source of Beta Carotene, Potassium and surprisingly an excellent source of Vitamin C. If we held a beta-carotene contest, sweet potatoes would just about tie carrots for first place.
Though these are available year-round, peak season for freshly harvested sweet potatoes is mid-fall to late winter.
There are many varieties of sweet potato, but I'll stick to the moist, orange/purple-fleshed sweet potatoes.
The orange/purple varieties have a thicker, darker skin, with bright orange flesh. It is much sweeter and moister than others. Whichever variety you choose, look for potatoes that are small/ medium in size to medium/large, about 3/4 pound to 1 1/4 pound in size, with smooth, unbruised skin.
Sweet potatoes may look hardy, they actually are quite fragile and spoil easily. Any cut or bruise on the surface quickly spreads and ruins the whole potato. Do not refrigerate them. It speeds up the deterioration. An ideal temperature is at 55 to
60 degrees.
_________________________
Microwave Veggies Tip
Fresh vegetables may be blanched in the microwave. Prepare the vegetables as
desired (whole, chopped, etc.) and place in microwave casserole. Microwave
on High (100 percent power) for 3-4 minutes per pound, covered, stirring or
rearranging halfway through the time. Plunge immediately into ice cold water
to cool. Drain, pack and freeze. Microwaved vegetables are HEALTHIER! More
nutrients, especially Vitamin C, are retained when microwaved than when
conventionally blanched or cooked.
_________________________
Terrific Iced Tea Tips
Looking for ways to make your iced tea even more refreshing and inviting?
Try stirring in 1/4 cup of raspberry juice into each tall glass.
OR stir in a few drops of lemon and orange extracts into every batch. Don't
forget to garnish individual glasses with some lemon, orange and lime
slices.
_________________________
Plastic Tubs
Get the largest size container of yogurt, sour cream or margarine. When done
with the tub, rinse and reuse it as a travel dish for pets, craft supply
storage, or use them for storing leftover food in.
_________________________
Cleaning A Thermos
Clean your thermos, coffee cup or bottle by using a ratio of 3/4 warm water to 1/4 vinegar, cover and shake to clean.
If necessary, add dried beans or rice and shake again to coax dried matter from thermos. Allow thermos to dry.
_________________________
A Little About Lettuce
Leaf lettuce has more vitamins A and C than head lettuce.
Wash wilted lettuce in cold water, shake it fairly dry, cover, and put in the refrigerator. In about 12 hours, the lettuce
will have freshened up surprisingly.
The best way to wash a head of lettuce (also escarole and other greens that come in heads or bunches) is to fil a large bowl or pot with cold water and pump the head of lettuce, stem side up, up and down in it. Do this a couple of changes of water if necessary.
_________________________
Other Uses For Toothpicks
Here's a few ways to use toothpicks around the house.
1. Label meat. Are these burgers rare or well-done? They all look the same on the outside. Identify just-off-the-grill meats with different-colored toothpicks and they won’t get mixed up. If you can't see the colors, put toothpicks on some and not others to tell the difference.
2. Find the end of the roll. When you’ve finished using tape, wrap the end around a toothpick so you can easily locate it the next time.
3. Glue beads and sequins. Use the sharp ends to apply teensy items to a craft project.
4. Sew a better button. Place a toothpick between the button and fabric so it doesn’t go on too tightly and end up tough to fasten.
5. Press a gadget’s Reset button. What fits perfectly into that tiny hole? You guessed it.
_________________________
7 Tips To Deal With Vision Loss
Dealing with vision loss is challenging. For people with glaucoma, macular degeneration, or another vision problem, low-vision aids can help optimize remaining vision and improve the ability to perform daily activities.
Some examples of low-vision aids are telescopes, closed-circuit televisions (a small television camera is mounted on a movable tray; documents or other objects are moved under the camera and viewed on a small monitor), magnifying glasses, clocks and phones with large numbers, and large-print reading materials. Telescopes and closed-circuit televisions require an evaluation and prescription from an eye care professional as well as training in how to use them.
Many low-vision aids are available through low-vision clinics and low-vision rehabilitation services. Researchers are also testing implantation of a miniature telescope into damaged eyes.
Mild vision impairment has little effect on day-to-day activities, but moderate to severe vision impairment can make it difficult for people to perform common household tasks. Opthalmologists and low-vision counselors recommend these simple, practical strategies to help patients with low vision maintain their independence.
1. Always leave doors completely open or completely closed. This reduces the risk of accidentally walking into the door edge if you have low vision.
2. Tack down loose rugs and use non-slip mats beneath them. Or you can hold down rugs with furniture to prevent slipping and tripping.
3. Tape a colorful piece of paper to all clear glass doors. If you have low vision, this will help you determine whether the door is open or closed and prevent collisions.
4. Avoid using glass-topped coffee or end tables. The edges are extremely difficult to see, making bumping injuries more likely if you have low vision.
5. Mark the important settings on the dials of the stove, washer, dryer, and other appliances using brightly colored tape.
6. Mark the outer edge of all indoor and outdoor stairs. Use a strip of paint or non-skid material in a color that contrasts with the rest of the step. The strip should extend about two inches from the edge, both horizontally and vertically and should go across the full width of the step. This reduces the chances of tripping or falling on the stairs if you have low vision.
7. Separate clothes according to color and then use labeled dividers to identify them.
_________________________
Using Fresh Cut Grass:
After mowing your lawn, instead of throwing the grass cuttings away, leave them in your garden. The nutrients from the cuttings go back into the soil and act as a fertilizer.
_________________________
Grapefruit
Half a large grapefruit will give you your one carbohydrate of fruit for your morning meal – and wake you up in the process. The tart taste of grapefruit is a winner for anyone trying to kickstart their day.
_________________________
Great Tips For Those Sugar Snap Peas:
Select bright green, flat, tender pods. Avoid pods with decay.
If peas are developed, use as for green peas. How much to buy?
A pound of snap peas equals about 15 pods or 1 cup. Store sugar snap peas in vegetable crisper up to 1 to 3 days.
Sugar snap peas have strings that must be removed before eating.
To do this, pinch the very tip of the pea, getting hold of the string. Pull the string up the straightest side toward the stem end; pinch off the stem end and continue pulling the string until there is no more. Eat them whole or eat pods and peas separately.
Uncooked Sugar Snap Peas make scrumptious additions to any dish.
Just snap them like green beans, or slice them lengthwise or in chunks for salads. Use whole as dippers or fill the crisp pods as you would fill celery sticks.
Sugar Snap Peas require very little cooking, just 2 minutes at a simmer is enough, whether in the fresh or frozen state. If overcooked, the pods soften and the flavor is destroyed.
_________________________
Garage Sale Shopping Tips
With the advent of spring and warm weather, garage and yard sales are abundant everywhere you look. This is a great way to find gently used clothing and household goods for the family and/or collectible items at tremendous savings. Here are some tips to make your garage sale shopping adventures more enjoyable and cost-effective:
1. Map out a plan. Go through the newspaper and write down the addresses of the garage sales you want to visit in your area. Next, plan the route by looking at a map so that you can hit each one in succession. This saves on time and gas. You will undoubtedly run into unadvertised garage sales along the way, so plan enough time to stop in and visit those too.
2. Be prepared! Carry lots of change and small bills. Take drinks and snacks with you. Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing. Bring along the sunscreen if the day promises to be hot and sunny. Put a couple of cardboard boxes in the trunk of your car, along with some old newspapers to protect fragile items. Have handi-wipes available, as well as a tape measure. In the event you leave the tape measure at home, remember that a dollar bill is approximately six inches in length.
3. Know what you are looking for by bringing a list of items. For example, if you need curtains know what the measurements are in advance. Bring a paint swatch if you are trying to decorate a specific room.
4. At the garage sale, don't just scan the table tops, look underneath the tables and dig through boxes. You never know what kind of treasures are hiding. To save time, ask the owner if they have something specific you are looking for. If you spot something you are thinking about purchasing, go ahead and hang onto it while you look around. This will prevent someone else from scooping it up. You can always put it back if you change your mind about buying it.
5. Know when to haggle. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to barter over every single item. If the price seems reasonable, buy it. If it's more than you want to pay or the item is unmarked, ask the seller if they will take X amount of dollars. If it's after lunch, it's time to start bartering with a vengeance. The owner doesn't want to haul all that stuff back inside, so they're going to be more willing to negotiate.
6. Be wary of recalled items. So many things have been recalled by manufacturers these days that it's hard to keep up - especially when it concerns baby/kids items and toys. Whenever in doubt, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission at:
(800)638-2772
or visit their website:
http://www.cpsc.gov/
They also have a Thrift Store Safety Checklist at
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/thrift/thrftck.html
_________________________
Watering Plants
Next time you boil potatoes, let the water cool and use it to give your thirsty plants a drink. It contains starch, nutrients and organic water that help plants thrive.
_________________________
If you know of someone who would like to join Mama's Corner, please contact me at:
mamas-corner-owner@yahoogroups.com
Hello there!I'm Matt Chadwick, your friendly Café friend
and I am delighted to be kicking off this week with a very insightful article.
One that much of the sightedworld can undoubtedtly learn from when it comes to being more aware of the needs of those with disability challenges.
I thank the good folks at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca for passing this along to us.
Make it a great day.
Dealing with government online
Another reason why the Info com standard must mandate W3C 2.0-Dealing with
Dealing with Government Online to Become Easier for Australians with
Disabilities
February 23, 2010
Australians with disabilities will soon find it easier to access government
information online.
Minister for Finance and Deregulation Lindsay Tanner and Parliamentary
Secretary for Disabilities Bill Shorten said the Rudd Government had
endorsed new website accessibility standards, the Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.
"This is an important step in making democracy more open, accessible and
accountable for all Australians," Lindsay Tanner said.
"It will encourage and enable people living with disabilities to more fully
interact with, and get services from government online."
The new standard replaces WCAG 1.0, a mandated requirement for agencies
since 2000.
"The Australian government is progressively implementing new online
technologies and looking to connect with more people online," Lindsay Tanner
said.
"These new standards will improve the ability of people with a broad range
of disabilities to take up those opportunities and engage with the
Government via the Internet."
Lindsay Tanner said the standards contained in WCAG 2.0 were in line with
internationally recognised best-practice and stipulated that all government
websites adhere to these new standards by 2015.
Mr Shorten said that unequal access to information would reinforce the 2nd
class status of people with disability within Australia.
"People with disability still face too many barriers that stop them
participating in work, education and other areas," Mr Shorten said.
"This initiative will help ensure that people with disability are not left
behind by the rapid growth of the Internet."
Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Mr Graeme Innes AM
welcomed the government's decision.
"Accessibility is not only important to people born with a disability, but
will become important to a great many of us who will develop various
disabilities as we get older," Mr Innes said.
"So, whether my computer speaks to me because I can't see the screen, or I
use a mouth stick to press the keys, these new standards will ensure
government information will be easier to access."
The Rudd Government is developing a National Transition Strategy for the
move to WCAG 2.0 which will form part of the National Disability Strategy to
be released later this year.
The National Disability Strategy will outline how the Rudd Government
intends to improve the inclusion of people with disability in the social,
economic and cultural life of Australia and deliver better outcomes for
them.
Information about the guidelines and upcoming National Transition Strategy
will be made available on the Web Publishing Guide:
http://webpublishing.agimo.gov.au/
---------------------------
Summary: Media Contacts
Minister Tanner's Office - Tim Naughtin - 0407 030 808
www.financeminister.gov.au
Bill Shorten's Office - Ben Ruse - 0407 030 808
http://www.financeminister.gov.au/media/2010/mr_052010_joint.html
Donna J Jodhan is the president of Sterling Creations.
Now you can view blogs and editorials written by Donna at:
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com (Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all)
http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7 (access and accessibility)
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php (accessibility issues in Canada)
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com (under the editorials section, an international perspective)
http://www.onestopbookcafe.com (under the café talk link)
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm (important answers to consumers concerns)
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca (monthly editorial on issues on diversity)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html (monthly editorial)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html (blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants)
Good rainy Saturday morning to you out there! It's your Café moms!
Yes, spring showers are on us today but that is not going to prevent us from having a great weekend. How are you all doing today? Ready for a brand new weekend?
Ready for spring and all of its wonders?
Well, we wish you a terrific weekend and we hope your enjoy our package.
Take care now!
Your Café moms
Week of May 08 2010
Healthy eating tips
Breaking news! New book helps children adopt healthy eating habits
New book helps children adopt healthy eating habits
Newborn to Teen (blog)
Best of all, the delicious recipes will enhance your children's growth, health, behaviour and happiness – and create healthy eating habits to last a ...
Read more at:
http://www.newborntoteen.com/children_article7118.html
Nation's Leading Nutrition Researchers Promote Two New Studies Linking Tree ...
PR Newswire (press release)
For more healthy tips, visit www.thegreennut.org, or follow The Green Nut on Twitter at http://twitter.com/thegreennut.
Read more at:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nations-leading-nutrition-researchers-promote-two-new-studies-linking-tree-nut-consumption-to-overall-health-benefits-92100419.html
Lose Weight Quick with Healthy Diet Plans
To lose weight quick, follow the above tips and the dieter should start to see immediate results. However, s/he must stick to the plan religiously or it will not work. Focus on being healthy with drinks and food and, of course, ... Lose Weight Quick with Healthy Eating Habit, federico stevanin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Lose Weight Quick with Healthy Eating Habit. Healthy Weight Loss Diet Plan, Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Healthy Weight Loss Diet Plan ...
Suite101: Weight Loss Methods Articles -
http://weight-loss-methods.suite101.com/
Slow Food versus Fast Food
By Kimberly Lim
It may be in the […] 8 Tips On How To Make Healthy Food Choices When Eating Out With Kids. Families just love dining out and while it can be equally fun for kids, frequent eating out may not at all be healthy for the entire family. ...
Gagazine: Parenting Advice &... -
http://www.gagazine.com/
Eating a Heart Healthy Diet | Health
By admin
Other than regular exercise and a reduction of salt intake, here are some other nutritional tips which promote heart health. Eating a heart healthy diet starts with the consumption of fish. Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty ...
Health -
http://www.one-tcn.com/
Weight Loss - Finally – the Weight Loss Miracle Pill is Here
By admin
Adding these common sense tips can help any weight loss program. Some people refer to the above type of program as a cleanse or detox – and it is. In fact, a cleanse is simply eating healthy foods that are easy to digest to help your ...
Weight Loss - Free Beauty Tips... -
http://www.freedailytext.com/
Celiac Disease and Loosing Weight | Republic of Healthy Tips
By admin
Losing weight should be based on eating sensibly rather than lurching from one diet to another. Be wary of low carbohydrate diets, as high protein diets can cause acidosis, which in turn can lead to calcium being lost from the bones. ...
Republic of Healthy Tips -
http://republicanforaday.com/
Healthy Eating : Lipo-6 Facts | weight loss diets, programs ...
By Health Articles
Lipo-6 is a product that is generally marketed as a fat burner, and it has six different ingredients that are reported to help with reducing body fat and appetite. Learn about using lipo-6 as a supplement with help from a registered and ...
Learn With Protabolism.com -
http://learn.protabolism.com/
9 Tips For Eating Healthy & Saving Money At The Grocery Store ...
By Daily Venus Diva
These 9 Tips will help you save money at the grocery store while allowing you to eat healthy.
Daily Venus Diva -
http://dailyvenusdiva.com/
Healthy Eating » Blog Archive » what are the best healthy eating ...
By admin
Even though an ideal diet is customized to your body's individual needs, there are some general healthy eating suggestions that are likely to benefit everyone. Here are some tips to follow at mealtime: Make the food you eat count. ...
Healthy Eating -
http://www.healthyeater.net/
Effective Ways To A Diet – Healthy Weight Loss « Free Assistance ...
By Author
So, consider all the tips mentioned above considering healthy eating habits and physical workouts and try to choose the most suitable for you weight loss program. Also, do not forget to intensify you physical activity. ...
Free Assistance for Those Who Need It - http://www.savewebster.com/
Health and Wellness Products for a Healthy Lifestyle | Health ...
By admin
Health and wellness products are used to take care of the body and mind by managing stress, aiding healthy eating habits, as well as maintaining a safe environment. When someone speaks of wellness, they are referring to what is called ...
Health Living Tips -
http://www.ameps.org/
Hey there! I'm Alix Shadonnay, your friendly Café friend and I hope that everyone is having a really great week thus far.
We're into the merry month of May and time is just marching along.
Today, it's my turn to introduce our favorite editor, blogger, writer, and friendly accessibility advocate; Donna J. Jodhan. Donna never stops moving and thinking and today I have a very entertaining editorial from her to share with you.
I hope you find it both entertaining as well as educational.
Make it a great day!
Labels that can not talk
You got it! Labels cannot talk to me whenever I need to know the contents of a can, box, or anything else. In general, I am able to tell the contents of a box usually by its size and sound. That is, when I shake it. For example, a box of cereal is bigger than a box of shake and bake. However, when it comes to those cans and tins, that's when the fun begins.
Being able to read and decipher labels is one of the biggest problems for me. Not only do I often have difficulty deciphering the contents of a tin, can, or box. It extends to being able to read the label itself. That is, knowing the description of the contents of the package in question. Two irritants; being able to read the ingredients on the package and knowing the actual contents of the package.
My woes often extend to being able to read labels on other types of packages and this includes CDs, labels on electronic products, and so on. Labels can not talk so I need to get sighted assistance to read them. A few years ago a bar code reader was developed to help blind and visually impaired persons read labels on boxes and tins and cans. Some have told me that for the most part, this nifty little device is extremely helpful but it is also very expensive like so many other gadgets that have been developed for us. The bar code comes with a database of over 5000 entries and it is possible to add other entries but in order to do this one has to depend on sighted assistance. As long as there is a bar code on a box, tin, can, or package, it is possible to add it to the database if it is not already there.
The bar code reader has made things easier for us but due to its exorbitant price I am unable to take advantage of it. You can learn more about the bar code reader plus more by visiting the Independent Living Aids website at http://www.independentlivingaids.org.
I'm Donna J. Jodhan your accessibility and special needs business consultant wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and tell others that blind and visually impaired persons can now use a special bar code reader to help them read labels on packages.
Donna J Jodhan is the president of Sterling Creations.
Now you can view blogs and editorials written by Donna at:
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com (Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all)
http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7 (access and accessibility)
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php (accessibility issues in Canada)
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com (under the editorials section, an international perspective)
http://www.onestopbookcafe.com (under the café talk link)
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm (important answers to consumers concerns)
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca (monthly editorial on issues on diversity)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html (monthly editorial)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html (blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants)
Hello there! It's your friendly Café friends and we are very happy to be with you today. It is a brand new month and it's the month of flowers.
Today, we are delighted to bring you our monthly suite of all kinds of helpful tips and we hope you enjoy reading them.
Have yourselves a wonderful day.
Helpful tips for May
In this issue:
General tips
Tech tips
Top American cities
Quotes for the day
_________________________
General tips
Courtesy of the research team at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca
What are some of the benefits of artichokes?
The intake of artichokes are known for:
Lowing of cholesterol, good for one's liver, and good for the regulating of blood sugar levels.
It's also good for the health of Diabetics.
What are some of the benefits of spinach?
Spinach is good for your bones. It contains lots of vitamin K.
It's also good for your skin.
It's best when it's cooked.
What's the best way to treat a fever?
Definitely not by starving it!
You need to drown it and this means drinking as much fluids as you can.
Eat as much vegetables and fruits as you can.
What can heavy purses do to you?
Bring harm to your shoulders, neck, and back.
What can tight jeans do to you?
Cause bladder infections and clots to your legs.
Would you like to learn something new about Maple syrup?
Well: Grade A Maple syrup is used for pancakes.
Grade B maple syrup is used for baking.
How would you like to learn about cubicle etiquette?
Well, here are some tips for your reading.
Always ask permission to enter your co-worker's cubicle.
Do not interrupt them if they are either on the phone or are in deep thought.
If you need to discuss something confidential, go somewhere that is private and where you cannot be overheard.
When you are on the phone be sure to keep your voice low.
Do not hang over the top of your co-worker's cubicle while they are on the phone.
Would you like some helpful tips in case you find yourself in the middle of a fire?
Here goes.
Stop, drop, roll, and cover yourself.
Do this and you'll be just fine.
What's a good ointment for diaper rash?
The A and D ointment.
Want to know who eats the most chocolate in the world?
Why, it's the Swiss!
Want to know who drinks the most beer in the world?
Why, it's the Irish followed by the Czechs!
_________________________
Tech tips
Taken from Melanie Mama's corner
Dan's Tech tips:
Taken from Melanie mama's corner
Certain Phrases You Shouldn't Enter In Search Engines
BBC NEWS
Warning on search engine safety
Some net searches are leading users to websites that expose them to spam, spyware and other dangerous downloads, reveals a report.
According to the research the most dangerous words to search for are "free screensavers".
The report found that 64 percent of the sites found using this phrase were flagged as causing problems for users.
The authors urged search sites to tighten up rules to ensure users are not inadvertently exposed to harm.
Dangerous game
It is well known that visiting sites offering porn, gambling and free MP3s leaves users at serious risk of falling victim to spyware and adware. However, the research by Ben Edelman and Hannah Rosenbaum reveals that those carrying out searches for innocuous subjects are at risk too.
The report looked at the websites returned for 1,394 popular keywords searches found via Google, Yahoo, MSN, AOL and Ask. The results returned for each search term were then analysed using the Site Advisor security tool. Once installed this piece of software warns users when they browse websites known to be dangerous.
The most benign of the pages that Site Advisor flags up try to change browser settings, to redirect people to ad sites, and the most dangerous deluge users with spam or bundle adware and spyware in with downloads.
In one case signing up with one site led to a test e-mail address getting more than 300 spam messages per week.
DANGEROUS KEYWORDS
Free screensaver
Bearshare
Screensavers
Winmx
Limewire
Download Yahoo messenger
Lime wire
Free ringtones
Some of these risky sites use security flaws and loopholes in browsers to install software without users' knowledge and can lead to that machine being hijacked or to a user losing personal data.
The riskiest search terms were associated with downloads (such as "screensavers" and "free ringtones") and file-sharing (such as "Bearshare" and "limewire"). Searching under these categories returned a substantial proportion of dangerous sites.
The authors speculate that spammers and scammers are turning to websites to try to snare victims as efforts are made to stop spam before it reaches e-mail inboxes.
"Where internet users go, attackers follow," wrote the authors.
Across all searches approximately 4 to 6 percent of sites returned were flagged as dangerous.
The authors noted that this was more "alarming" than it first appeared because American net users carry out almost 6 billion searches per month. This translates to 285 million clicks on these potentially dangerous sites every month.
"Even a single visit to a dangerous site can have serious and lasting implications for the average internet user," wrote the authors. The number of risky sites increases when users click on sponsored results, the adverts generated to accompany particular search terms. Dangerous sites are two to four times as common in sponsored results found the research.
"We are troubled by the untrustworthiness of search engines' ads," said the authors.
The authors urged the search engines to get much tougher on those who buy adverts to accompany searches and expose those that abuse visitors. "We're alarmed by the scope of these problems - by the many ways search engines lead users to sites that can be harmful, or provide wrong information.
If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at the following email address:
dthompson5@mchsi.com
_________________________
Daily Writing Tips
Daily WritingTips is designed to help with the problem of too little time. Here you will find simple and effective daily tips to improve your writing, in a format easy to fit into your busy work day. Subscribe via RSS or email.
Learn Something Every Day
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/
If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at the following email address:
dthompson5@mchsi.com
_________________________
How To Configure A Default Date For Word 2007
Here is how to configure a default date for Word 2007 which will automatically update the date/time every time the file is opened.
Also you can use this same file to make the date/time appear in various formats.
1. Open the Date/time Dialog by pressing "alt plus n" followed by the letter d.
2. Arrow up/down to highlight/Select the date/time format you’d like to set as the default.
3. TAB to "update automatically" check the box by pressing the spacebar if you want the date/time to change everytime this file is opened.
4. Tab again to the "default" button and press the spacebar if you want this to be the default action when inserting the date or opeing the file.
5. Tab to "okay" and press the spacebar.
If you wish to insert the date into a document on the fly, press "alt plus shift plus the letter d" and the current date/time is inserted at the cursor's location.
If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at the following email address:
dthompson5@mchsi.com
_________________________
Looking For Free Wi-Fi In Your Area? Are you preparing for a trip? Well
MetroFreeFi.com
MetroFreeFi.com offers a really nice service where you can choose states from a menu, and MetroFreeFi will generate a Notes file for your iPod or compatible notetaker. Drop the files on your iPod or notetaker and you're good to go!
I thought I knew most of the free Wi-Fi spots in Louisville, but the MFF file showed me about a dozen I was unaware of. Some of the notes even detail special procedures for getting a WEP key for particular locations.
It's a free service, and well worth the time.
Click this link to find Wi-Fi hotspots in your area:
http://www.metrofreefi.com/
LaptopFriendlyCafes.com
"At LaptopFriendlyCafes.com you’ll find your local free Wi-Fi and power ready laptop spots. We have over 300 tried and tested cafes listed worldwide where you can power up your laptop, surf the web for free and enjoy a coffee."
Click this link to visit
http://www.LaptopFriendlyCafes.com
If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at the following email address:
dthompson5@mchsi.com
_________________________
Got Docx? Here’s How To Open Them Without Word Using Windows, Mac, Or Linux.
This article was found at Gizmo.com on February 18 2010.
When Microsoft introduced Office 2007, it brought with it some new document formats, among them Docx. If you don’t have, want, or use the newest version of Word, you might find yourself needing to open a Docx document.
Among other changes in Office 2007, Microsoft introduced new document formats. What does that mean? It means the DOC files you know and love are now DOCX files. It also means your old DOC files need to be upgraded to live in the world of 2009. But what if you haven't upgraded, or have technical or other reasons that prevent you from using the latest version of Microsoft Word? Here are some alternative ways to open and save using the DOCX format.
If you don't need to edit the document, you can download Microsoft's Word Viewer, allows you open Word documents saved in the following formats:
Word Document (*.docx)
Word Macro-Enabled Document (*.docm)
Rich Text Format (.rtf)
Text (.txt)
Web Page formats (.htm, .html, .mht, .mhtml)
WordPerfect 5.x (.wpd)
WordPerfect 6.x (.doc, .wpd)
Works 6.0 (.wps)
Works 7.0 (.wps)
XML (.xml)
With Word Viewer and the Compatibility Pack, you can view, print, and copy document contents to another program. However, you cannot edit an open document, save a document, or create a new document. This download is a replacement for Word Viewer 2003 and all previous Word Viewer versions.
Note: When you use the Word Viewer to view files that are saved in these formats, you will see a Word version of the file. The following Word 2007 items will be affected:
Features that do not exist in Word 2003
Layout that uses properties that do not exist in Word 2003
For more information on specific changes, see Open a Word 2007 document in an earlier version of Word
Compatibility Pack for the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA100444731033.aspx
To reduce file size, improve reliability, and enhance integration with external sources, Microsoft has added new file formats to Word 2007, Excel 2007, and PowerPoint 2007.
To help ensure that you can open files in these new formats, Microsoft has developed a Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats. Conversion file.
A link to this file is below.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=3657CE88-7CFA-457A-9AEC-F4F827F20CAC&displaylang=en
If you can not download this file, I have it and will send it via email.
I will need to change the file extention to xxx and the person receiving it will need to change the file extention back to exe once it is downloaded.
This is because most email scanners for viruses won't allow exe files to be sent via email.
If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at the following email address:
dthompson5@mchsi.com
_________________________
Universities With The Best Free Online Courses
Need help choosing what classes to take and where to take them? This list will make it easier.
Getting an online education is becoming easier all the time. The ranks of top rated universities offering courses is large and keeps growing. (see Free Online Lectures from Top Rated Universities - Academic Earth
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/free-online-lectures-top-rated-universities.htm
and
200 Free Outstanding Online Classes
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/200-free-outstanding-online-classes.htm
for more information)
If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at the following email address:
dthompson5@mchsi.com
_________________________
Wading through all the universities and classes can be time consuming.
The Education Portal has a great write up of ten universities with the best free
online classes that makes finding courses a little easier.
The site offers up a few other gems that help narrow courses to certain areas of
interest:
10 Sources for Free Online Technology Courses
http://education-portal.com/articles/10_Sources_for_Free_Online_Technology_Courses.html
Engineering Courses Online
(with class descriptions)
http://education-portal.com/engineering_courses_online.html
CNA to LPN Courses Online: Course Options and Requirements
http://education-portal.com/cna_to_lpn_courses_online.html
If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact
Dan at the following email address:
dthompson5@mchsi.com
_________________________
How To Use Windows Notepad As A Journal
Windows has got, among its tools, almost anything you need for your needs.
For example, did you know that you can use your plain, Windows Notepad as a digital diary where you can write whatever you want while the system will keep track of the date and time you updated it?
1. Press the start button.
2. Press the letter r.
3. Type in the line below and press enter.
Wordpad
4. Write .LOG and save the file as diary.txt on your desktop. Notice that log is in uppercase.
5. Now, open diary.txt.
6. As you see, Windows wrote down the time and the date of when you created the file.
7. From now on, every time you open and write something down on such a file, Windows will also write the time and date for each update.
If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at the following email address:
dthompson5@mchsi.com
_________________________
24 Ways To Earn Quick Cash With Links To Detailed Instructions And Useful Connections
Job hunting is a time-consuming job, but it doesn't pay a cent until you actually land a job. In the meantime, you still have to pay rent, utilities, health costs and somehow afford groceries. Unemployment benefits run out pretty fast, so there's little cushion for many of us.
I recently spent several years looking for work in my career area and learned quite a few ways to keep cash coming in while still leaving time to job hunt. It wasn't easy, but it paid the bills and allowed me to maintain some pride.
Here are 24 ways to earn quick cash with links to detailed instructions and useful connections. Combine several or focus on a single area, but make sure you get paid. Don't forget to file quarterly income taxes for the self-employed.
1. Human Guinea Pig
If you live near a university with a med school, you can earn anywhere from $15 to $2,000 for taking part in a clinical research study. The National Institutes of Health lists over 300 clinical studies that need volunteers.
http://clinicalstudies.info.nih.gov/
2. Clean Houses
No matter how bad the economy, some people will pay to avoid housework. And I'm not just talking the rich. Avoid working for a cleaning agency, where you'll get paid a maximum of $10 per hour and work like a dog. Instead, develop your own client base and put $20 to $30 per hour directly into your pocket. Granted it's hard work and requires an eye for detail, but the process goes much faster once you set up a regular schedule of clients.
Page's Personal Cleaning offers a step-by-step guide to starting a housecleaning business from someone who's been there.
http://www.pagespersonalcleaning.net/cleaningarticles.htm
3. Give Blood
Some plasma banks pay up to $35 per pint. In the United States, federal regulations state that an individual may donate two times in a seven day period, with a minimum of two days in between donations. DonatingPlasma.org provides details and a searchable plasma-bank database to help you find a plasma bank in your area.
http://www.donatingplasma.org/search/find.aspx
4. Walk Dogs
Do you love dogs and love spending time with them? So do lots of other people, but not everyone has the time to walk them, particularly in the middle of the day. Walking dogs is a good way to get some exercise while being paid for your time. StartDogWalking explains how to establish and advertise a dog walking business.
http://www.startdogwalkingbusiness.info/
5. Plant Sit
Like babysitting without all the screaming. You water and pamper household or business plants when the owners are gone so they don't come home to sickly, silted greenery. It helps to have a green thumb but isn't a necessity. My Small Biz explains the process of starting a plant-sitting business.
http://www.mysmallbiz.com/teen-business/how-to-start-a-plant-sitting-business.php
6. Babysit
You did it as a teenager so why not babysit as an adult. You'd need a license and state accreditation to provide regular child care in your home but occasional babysitting in your or a client's home requires nothing but patience and a talent for child care. Look on CraigsList under "Gigs" and "Domestic" to get your business started. The University of Illinois Extension can get you started in the babysitting business.
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/babysitting/
7. House Sit
Safety is the primary reason homeowners hire people to sit while they're out of town, but house sitters also water plants and care for the lawn, feed pets, collect mail, perform light housecleaning duties and take care of any emergency situations that might arise, like calling a plumber if a pipe bursts. Much of your work will come through referrals rather than advertising. Retirees who travel a great deal frequently need house sitters, so you can begin by volunteering your services to a friend and going from there. HouseCareers.com also can help connect you with housesitting jobs.
http://www.housecarers.com/housesitting_jobs.cfm
8. Flip Web Sites
This one takes computer savvy. Begin by searching for popular Web site topics, create a basic site on that topic then offer it to another e-commerce business involved in the same area. The idea is to build a site that has real money making potential, as well as being able to generate a good volume of traffic. You can do this by integrating elements such as GoogleAdSense, affiliate links and paid advertising into the site.
https://www.google.com/adsense/login/en_US/?gsessionid=qn8Q9IB0CZ5ncsbEN32brA
9. Sell Your Hair
Sales for generous lengths of tresses reportedly can net you several hundred to over a thousand dollars. WiseBread explains how to sell your hair and includes sites where you can list and market hair.
http://www.wisebread.com/how-to-sell-your-hair-for-cash
10. Deliver Phone Books
This is a fairly simple opportunity that can make anywhere between $7 and $10 per hour. You're responsible, however, for paying for gas and must have a dependable car, but the rest is provided.PhoneBooks.com can connect you to phone book delivery opportunities in your area.
http://www.phonebooks.com/delivering-phonebooks.html
11. Become a Census Worker
The U. S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time census takers for the 2010 Census. These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized work-related expenses, including mileage. Census Jobs are available now.
http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/
12. Sell Your Eggs
Donating your eggs can pay serious bank, sometimes upwards of $5,000. The process isn't easy, however, and requires a time commitment. CheckIHR.com for egg donor and surrogacy programs in your area, as well as instructions on how to select the right program for you.
http://www.ihr.com/infertility/provider/donoregg.html?source=google&gclid=CN-Zpp_r5Z8CFQoVawodIU65WQ%3E
13. Rent-a-Truck
People have a constant need to get things from A to B, and not everyone has a truck or car. You can earn money helping people move, remove rubbish, recycle larger items and other jobs that require a larger vehicle. It helps to have a strong back and muscles.
14. Do Odd Jobs
Canvas your community for such odd jobs as shoveling snow, washing cars, mowing lawns, weeding gardens, etc. The elderly, single mothers and busy couples may be more than delighted to have these time-consuming jobs taken off their hands.
15. Monetize Your Web Site or Blog
You're already spending a ton of time on your blog or Web site. Why not earn some money from all your labor? Google AdSense and nine other sites listed on MoolaDays require little to no supervision: Once it's there, you don't need to do much more.
https://www.google.com/adsense/login/en_US/?gsessionid=0YD4R9stMSsE38HRev0ecg
and nine other sites listed on MoolaDays
http://www.mooladays.com/2009/07/29/9-alternatives-to-google-adsense/
16. Human Billboard
If you don't mind dressing up like the Statue of Liberty, a chicken or some other mascot, you can earn money standing on a busy corner to wave a sign and attract clients for various businesses. Not all jobs require a costume, but you do have to be willing to work in all types of weather. You'll frequently find ads for such work on CraigsList "Jobs," "Marketing."
17. Rent Out a Room
Sharing living expenses can put more cash in your pocket. Make sure you draw up a lease agreement specifying rent, security deposit terms, length of stay, etc. This becomes even more important if you're renting to someone you know.
18. Paper Route
It's a nasty job, but somebody has to do it and it's a quick way to earn cash. Newspaper delivery is almost always performed in the early morning hours, usually by 6:30 a. m. Don't forget to check with local weekly newspapers to see if they need delivery assistance. You'll likely need a dependable car as today's delivery routes are so large you can't complete them in the time required.
19.Teach English to Adults
Check with local schools and colleges to see if they need teachers for English as a Second Language classes. Not all schools require a language-specific degree for this level of instruction. ESL.com can connect you with ESL jobs across America and in other countries.
http://www.esljobs.com/
20. Sell Your Stuff
A good alternative to the yard sale is to sell your stuff on Craigslist or eBay, depending on the quality and whether you want to deal with shipping.
Both sites allow you to sell nearly everything, from furniture and bikes to artwork and crafts. CraigsList is free and organized by region. Consult the CraigsList FAQ before you begin.
http://www.craigslist.org/about/help/
eBay will take a cut of your profits and requires more technical savvy, but is a good outlet for collector's items, higher-end electronics, etc. Read the eBay Sellers Guide before you get started.
http://pages.ebay.com/help/index.html
21. Recycle Containers
Eleven states require consumers pay a deposit on bottles and aluminum cans, but many people don't bother with returning the empties. You can gather empties at parks, cafeterias, school and athletic grounds, and on busy roadsides. The 10 states with bottle laws are California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Vermont. For state-by-state bottle-bill details visit BottleBill.org.
http://www.bottlebill.org/legislation/usa.htm
22. Paint Street Numbers
It takes just paint, stencils and a willingness to walk neighborhoods to earn from $10 to $40 per curb painted. HowToAdvice.com can help you start your own curb-painting business.
http://www.howtoadvice.com/CurbPainting
23. Recycle Scrap Metal
Some salvage yards and recycling centers pay for scrap metal. You'll need a truck to lug the metal around. RecycleInMe lists scrap-metal buyers and the latest prices.
http://www.recycleinme.com/
24. Freelance Work
Many easy-money stories will suggest putting your creative skills to work by freelance writing, doing design work, etc. I don't recommend this as a feasible way to make quick cash as it takes time to build up a clientele, even if you're well connected. Freelance work often pays pathetically little until you're well established and collecting paychecks can require the muscles and intimidation skills of a "Guido." For some reason, people don't place as high a value on creative skills and many have no qualms about asking you to work for free. That said, freelance work can be an excellent way to maintain your skills while developing a network for a real job. FreelanceJobs.org has an extensive list of freelance opportunities in many different areas.
http://www.freelancejobs.org/
If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at the following email address:
dthompson5@mchsi.com
_________________________
GoodSearch is a search engine which donates 1 cent per search to a nonprofit of your choice. GoodSearch is powered by Yahoo!, so you will get the same great results while supporting APH and it won't cost you any extra time or money.
Using GoodSearch is simple:
1. Go to
www.goodsearch.com
2. Enter "American Printing House for the Blind" as the charity you want to support.
3. Search away!
To save it as your homepage:
1. Go to Tools
2. Click on Internet Options
3. Click on General tab
4. Add or change the Home page link to
http://www.goodsearch.com
5. Click OK
Another great way to raise money for APH is to visit
www.goodshop.com
when shopping online and a percentage of each purchase will be donated to APH. GoodShop includes hundred of great stores such as Amazon.com, Target, Gap, Best Buy, eBay, Macy's, and Barnes and Noble.
Please pass the word along to friends, family, and colleagues. The more we GoodSearch and/or GoodShop, the more money we will raise for APH.
If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at the following email address:
dthompson5@mchsi.com
_________________________
if you know of someone who would like to join Mama's Corner, please contact me at:
mamas-corner-owner@yahoogroups.com
_________________________
Top American cities
By Donna J. Jodhan at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca
1. Montgomery Alabama
Montgomery overflows with southern charm, culture, and greenery.
A city rich in lush parks, green gardens, and clean streets, this is a city with cultural sophistication as well as with a small town atmosphere.
Montgomery is one of the major tourist centers in the South. It offers lots of entertainment, festivals, and sporting events.
A city that should definitely be put on your list of cities to visit in the very near future.
2. Greensboro North Carolina
Greensboro is a city of scenic beauty; with fascinating foothills, forests, and rivers with fast flowing water.
This city is loaded with wondrous parks, historic sites, and nature grounds that inspire campers to stay a while.
Greensboro has a thriving economy and a low unemployment rate.
It is a city for the college student, the young professional, and the suburban dweller.
It is a city for the avid shopper, the museum lover, and the one seeking excitement in a white water park.
3. Fresno California
Now! here is a city with something very unique. A city that offers you the opportunity to enjoy both big city life as well as nature's wonders.
Fresno is filled with lots of beautiful parkland; hiking, biking, and horseback riding are among its many activities.
Beautiful trails to discover and lots of architecture and history.
Fresno's down town mall is a wonder in itself; restaurants, top class shopping, and fountains to marvel at.
If you are seeking a city that is fresh, green, and close to everything beautiful, then Fresno is it.
4. Akron Ohio
If you are seeking a city with history and a gusto for industry, then Akron is it.
A city that has long been a home to several tire manufacturers, has grown into one that has healthy high-tech and finance industries.
Akron also offers oodles of opportunities in manufacturing and medicine.
If you are seeking a city with opportunity and potential, then why not Akron?
If you would like to learn more about Donna J. Jodhan then visit http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
_________________________
Quotes for the day
Taken from Melanie mama's corner
Quotes
Taken from Melanie mama's corner
Quote For Today:
Don't rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can't love and respect yourself, no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are, completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit, not because you think someone else wants you to be different.
_________________________
Quote For Today:
Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.
_________________________
Quote For Today:
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes s
Hi everyone! I'm Heather DeMarco, your friendly Café friend and welcome to a brand new week and a brand new month!
Today, I am going to share a very deep and thought provoking article with you; one that should make you sit and ponder for a bit.
I hope you find it of interest and if you have any feedback then please drop us an email at info@onestopbookcafe.com. Your comments are always welcomed.
We thank our friends at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca for passing this along to us.
Make it a great day.
Exploring Blindness:
Questions yet Unanswered
Michael Bullis
BRAILLE MONITOR, Vol. 53, No. 3 March 2010
Michael Bullis is a certified orientation and mobility instructor and
currently the executive director of the Maryland Technology Assistance
Program. In the following article he raises questions and explores research
options, discussion of which we usually find uncomfortable. He welcomes
comments on these ideas at
>
As members of a minority striving for acceptance, we spend much of
our time emphasizing our normality and our capacity to compete. When
people say, "You must have wonderful hearing," we usually reply that blind
people
don't hear particularly well. When they say, "You must have a phenomenal
memory to recall where you're going," we respond, "Not really. My cane gives
me the information I need, but I probably don't have much more capacity for
memory than you do." And so it goes.
Because we live in a sighted society, we strive to seem to be part of it.
Yes, we're blind, but
we strive to minimize the differences and emphasize the things we have in
common with the sighted society around us.
All of this is quite understandable. We compete for jobs, the romantic
attentions of others, the interest of potential friends, etc. People fear or
at least shy away from that which they perceive as weird.
But, though we are much like our sighted family members, friends,
and colleagues, we are also different. We cannot see.
This means we take in most of the information we gather about our
surroundings through touch and
sound. Sighted folks more often than not take in information visually.
Yes, there are taste and smell, but these are not primary sources of
information unless we're at a restaurant,
Although we are surely more alike than different from our sighted
colleagues, our differences are certainly worth understanding. I keep a list
of topics I wish we understood better. Some items are obvious and require
little explanation. Others require some discussion. Some will lead
to inventions, while others will lead to research and new training
techniques. Here then is my list of blindness issues that we should explore.
1. Although hearing tests show that blind people do not hear better than
others, do we hear differently? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown
that the blind process audible information using the visual cortex. Can this
processing capacity be enhanced? Could we take in more audio information
through the development of new and heretofore unconsidered
techniques?
Daniel Kish of World Access for the Blind teaches active echolocation, which
he calls "flash sonar." Watching his students, it is clear that they can
define the characteristics of a room, playground, or mountain trail far
better than those of us who simply rely on the echoes
produced by our canes.
Discussion of whether tongue clicking is weird puts the cart before the
horse. First we should research a method to determine its benefits. Then
blind people can decide whether the gains outweigh the social idiosyncrasy.
That's what we do with the cane. We decide that the benefits of the cane
outweigh the disadvantages of being different from others. So,
even though many of us pooh pooh the tongue-clicking method as weird,
shouldn't we try to understand and assess the information it conveys and try
to incorporate it into our lives and those of our students?
Perhaps the richer tapestry of detail that flash sonar allows would help
newly blinded
folks frustrated by the limited picture the cane provides. Canes are
effective at creating a picture of the immediate area where we are
traveling, but they are not so good at helping us formulate images at thirty
or forty feet.
Although the echoes from a crisp metal cane tip can fill in some blanks in
the environment, they cannot create nearly the detail that active
echo-location does.
As I said, I do acknowledge that we're uncomfortable with the idea of
blind people being defined as "clickers." But, let's be honest. We already
stand out in a crowd by virtue of using a cane--something we've been working
for seventy years to get the public to understand.
When I was a young man, I observed some blind clickers. I thought they were
weird, and,
quite honestly, they were usually blind people who exhibited other less
than socially normal behavior. My mom wouldn't have tolerated my clicking.
She explained, more often than I care to remember, "You live in a sighted
world." This meant that I should try to blend in--not be different. That's
why, in some ways, using a cane was so difficult for me. Doing so meant a
readjustment of thinking that I thought had served me pretty well up to
that point.
So I'm not advocating clicking during a job interview. I'm simply
suggesting that after investigation we might decide it is one of the many
tools we could use in the right situation and at an appropriate time. What
we have not yet done is give it a very serious look rather than a cursory
glance.
Could flash sonar be an answer to detecting quiet cars?
2. Can some hear far better because they use techniques that could and
perhaps should be taught to others? I've met people who could hear animals
in the woods that I simply couldn't hear. Are they better at discriminating
than I am? Could I learn the skill?
3. Can we improve our hearing? It seems to me that there are two
ways to improve hearing. Either we improve our ability to interpret what is
already coming into our ears, a technique that we teach to some extent in
cane travel instruction. Then there is the improvement of our ability to
hear what's out there through mental training or mechanical means. Hearing
aids improve people's hearing but often interfere with directionalization
and discrimination. Can we create devices that actually improve our
hearing?
Is the shape of the human ear optimal? Could it be improved? Are the liquid
in the ear canals and the hairs that register sound as sefficient as they
might be? Could we improve their function?
4. Can we improve our ability to directionalize sound? Could the
shape of the ear or some external device improve our ability to focus on
distant objects, thus providing a more accurate sound picture of them?
5. Can we find ways to dampen loud sounds that overwhelm softer ones in
order to increase our information-gathering ability at, say, very noisy
intersections or when a neighbor is mowing the lawn?
6. Improving touch. It is said that Jacob Bolotin could feel Braille through
eighteen handkerchiefs. I don't know if that was true or not, but I have
certainly met both blind and sighted people with very sensitive touch. Can
touch be improved in us all? Could we develop techniques?
Similarly, can nerves damaged by age, diabetes, or overuse be reinvigorated?
What do
people with incredibly sensitive touch have that the rest of us don't, and
how can we spread it around?
7. The ability to map a physical environment mentally is stronger in
some folks than in others. Certain parts of the brain are activated in good
mental mappers and not in those who aren't. Could we enhance the skill
through focused training? We already improve it somewhat through travel
training, but could we develop more focused abilities?
8. Using residual vision. One primary approach to using residual
vision is to occlude it during training and then assume that it will be
useful once the person has sharpened alternative techniques. But I have
noticed that some people, with or without raining, use their residual
vision more effectively than others. Yes, yes, I know that the profession
clings to residual vision like an alcoholic to the bottle, but can we put
all that aside and determine whether we can develop better techniques to
help people benefit more effectively from their residual vision?
The immersion method taught by NFB helps retrain the brain to process
nonvisual information. It works better with some folks than with others.
That is,
some people seem naturally able to redirect their brains to use alternative
techniques. Others, although they study for up to a year in an NFB center,
don't seem to make the switch easily. Why? What can we learn from these
folks about how to teach them?
9. Braille literacy. Let's set aside the issue of whether Braille is
taught effectively or often enough to children and adults. Braille is
difficult for many adults to learn. Sighted learners who did not learn to
read or write as children have similar difficulties with print. What can we
do to fix this?
Far too often we continue Braille instruction when, whether through lack of
finger sensitivity or for other reasons, it is obvious that the student is
not going to be an effective Braille reader.
Beyond the literacy problems this creates, these folks are unable to take
notes efficiently. How about developing a truly effective audio management
system for people-a portable device that quickly allows the digital
recording and indexing of information and the retrieval of that
information? Suppose you could record something like "phone number for Bob
Jones, 361-2273." Then, when you wanted the number, you simply say, "Bob
Jones" and are immediately presented with information under that name. No
such product is currently on the market.
One can record information on a multitude of devices, but there is no
elegant and simple way to find it quickly and easily. Suppose we could
combine voice-recognition technology with a voice recorder and make the
information truly indexable? The technology for such a device exists.
10. Blindness counseling. Historically, blind people have been counseled
to death. Psychologists and psychiatrists were the first stop in
rehabilitation through the 1970s. Over the past thirty or forty years we
have for the most part discontinued that practice. But perhaps we've thrown
out the baby with the bath water.
Some people really do have difficulty adjusting to blindness. With the
right professional counseling they could benefit from therapy. This doesn't
mean that they're broken or that blindness necessarily requires the
intervention of psychiatrists because of its complexity or trauma. It does
mean that professional counseling techniques have something to offer
professionals in the blindness field.
Those who conduct group discussions at centers for the blind could truly
benefit from some training in ways to engage in group counseling. No, the
groups would not turn into group therapy sessions. They would simply be
managed by a professional who understood at a deeper level how to spot and
understand group interactions and the messages being sent and received.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, and other therapists really do have a vast
and useful body of knowledge that could be helpful. We need to find ways to
incorporate that knowledge into professional work with the blind while not
sending negative messages.
Yes, most counselors focus far too often on blindness when the cause is
something else. I well remember the fellow who said when told that he was
angry about his blindness, "What you don't
understand, sir, is that I was a jerk before I became blind." We ignore at
our peril the broader knowledge about human personality and the personal
counseling skills being developed today. In the long run, not knowing leads
to less effective rehabilitation for the more challenging people we face.
11. Cane improvements. We're still in need of improvements in the long white
cane. It doesn't protect against upper body objects. That's a big deal for
many who don't enjoy knocks on the head or wet branches in the face.
We also need to increase the capacity of the cane to detect objects at a
distance. Numerous methods have been tried, but nothing yet meets the test
of affordability and ease of use.
12. Audible balls. We need a method of making balls of all types audible
so blind kids and adults can learn the joys of ball playing. The goal is a
ball that is audible and has the same bounce and weight as regular balls.
13. A paradigm shift. Perhaps the lack of sight itself needs a bit of
discussion. Humans cannot fly independently. Birds can. Because of this
disability, humans have invented aircraft and rocketships. Whether we would
have done so if we had had wings and the capacity to fly, I don't know. But
I think the argument can be made that blind people may be uniquely
positioned to invent a new form of sight--and perhaps, one that goes beyond
that used by naturally sighted people. What would such sight be?
14. Things left out. I do not include in this list anything having to do
with creation of synthetic eyes, restoration of the optic nerves, or sight
restoration. That subject is being adequately addressed by the medical field
and will be a constant focus of those who seek to prevent blindness.
Conclusions
Blindness excites me. It is a fascinating and rich experience. I like
fascinating and rich experiences. If somebody offered me the opportunity to
see tomorrow, with several caveats, I would take it. I would take it
precisely because it too would be exciting and rich. In the meantime,
though, let's explore and engage this experience and learn from it, perhaps
enriching the world for the sighted and blind alike.
Donna J Jodhan is the president of Sterling Creations.
Now you can view blogs and editorials written by Donna at:
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com (Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all)
http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7 (access and accessibility)
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php (accessibility issues in Canada)
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com (under the editorials section, an international perspective)
http://www.onestopbookcafe.com (under the café talk link)
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm (important answers to consumers concerns)
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca (monthly editorial on issues on diversity)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html (monthly editorial)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html (blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants)
Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
...[Next 10 of 38 pages] ...
We welcome all comments but ask that you do so in a courteous and constructive manner.
Thanks!
